Healthy democracy can thrive and survive only with a fearless and independent press said Chief Justice of India at an event organized by Mumbai Press Club on Wednesday.
He said: “Speaking truth to power and holding up a mirror to society, is an immense responsibility that is extremely difficult to fulfil. There is enormous pressure and stress upon you.”
Prasing journalism as a noble profession he said: “It is often said that the legal profession is a noble profession. I can state that the journalist’s job is as noble and is an integral pillar of democracy.”
He said:
“The freedom of the press is a valuable and sacred right enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Without such a freedom, there cannot be discussion and debate that is essential for the growth of a democracy. There can be no flow of information that the public requires, and that a democracy demands.”
Speaking on the demand of the time to be a specialist he said: “To be able to inform the readers and viewers accurately, the media needs to invest on specialists.”
Commenting on the worring trend of ratings in the contemporary reporting, CJI Ramana said:
“In the race for ratings, the important journalistic tenet of verification before publishing is not being followed. This leads to incorrect reporting. The social media amplifies that incorrect news in a matter of seconds. Once published it is difficult to take back. Unlike print and electronic media, unfortunately, it is almost impossible to hold the social media platforms such as youtube accountable even after they host most derogatory and defamatory stuff which has potential to ruin careers and lives.”
Advise the media professionals, he said need was to follow the principles of natural justice before making adverse comments against someone who is not in a position to defend himself.
He said: “News mixed with views is a dangerous cocktail.”
He said: “The media must have belief and trust in the judiciary. As a key stakeholder in democracy, media has the duty to defend and protect the judiciary from motivated attacks by evil forces.”
CJI Ramana also paid tribute to late Danish Siddiqui. Praising his journalism, CJI said that he was a man with a magical eye and was rightly regarded as one of the foremost photo-journalists of this era.